User Review
( votes)Liverpool FC’s European Record
Liverpool FC’s first European final in nine years provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on Britain’s most successful club ahead of their clash against Sevilla in Basel.
A superb #LFC banner – European Royalty #5times pic.twitter.com/IS5FgiBoHM
— Spion Klopp (@Jay_78_) October 1, 2014
LFC have won eight of the 11 European finals they’ve contested (not including the Super Cup) – a record that includes five European Cup/Champions League trophies, and three Uefa Cup/Europa League titles.
The Reds have never lost a Uefa Cup/Europa League final and if they beat Sevilla – who are looking for their third successive triumph in the competition – they will join the Spanish club as the most successful side with four titles.
The fact that victory gives qualification for the Champions League adds even more lustre and escalates the importance to Liverpool ahead of what’s expected to be a busy summer in the transfer market – where the lure of playing in club football’s top competition offers a massive incentive for prospective signings.
LFC’s EUROPEAN RECORD
European Cup/Champions League – 5
1976-77, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1983-84, 2004-05
Uefa Cup/Europa League – 3
1972-73, 1975-76, 2000-2001
European Super Cup Winners – 3
1977, 2001, 2005
A photo posted by Liverpool Football Club (@liverpoolfc) on
LIVERPOOL v SEVILLA
Liverpool v Sevilla at the 35,000 capacity St Jakob-Park in Basel will be the Reds first European final since their 2-1 defeat by AC Milan in the 2007 Champions League – just two years after that most famous of wins in Istanbul where from 3-0 down to Milan at halftime, an unbelievable second half saw Liverpool fight back to 3-3 and claim the trophy on penalties.
THE KLOPP FACTOR
@LFC pic.twitter.com/PYJyslqfvZ
— Liverpool Red (@lfcredynwa) May 17, 2016
Jurgen Klopp took charge in October and immediately transformed the atmosphere around LFC – especially the belief of fans with whom the charismatic German quickly established a relationship based on mutual love.
He replaced Brendan Rogers just seven months ago but the UEL will be his second final in charge.
“A lot of teams want to go to finals, it is not too easy, but it is a real opportunity and we will take the opportunity,” said Klopp.
His side will need to do better than in February’s League Cup final where Liverpool lost to Manchester City on penalties. Klopp assured fans: “We will go there [to Basel] and try to do everything for this wonderful club.”
Win and Klopp will join the immortal managers that begin with Bill Shankly and his name will forever be sung by the thousand on the Kop.
LOOKING TO BASEL
Looking ahead to Basel, Klopp said: “The problem in football always is that there’s another team with the same target. But we know about that, so that’s no real issue. Belief in our strength will be at 100 per cent before the game, for sure.”
As for Sevilla and their attempts to win the trophy three times in-a-row, Klopp said: “We didn’t play them last year in the final, we didn’t play them two years ago in the final, so it’s the first time they play against us. So that’s our big advantage because we think we are quite different to all other teams in this moment. That’s what we’ll try to use.”
LIVERPOOL’S LUCAS SIZES UP WIN
Liverpool’s longest serving player Lucas Leiva underlined the importance victory will mean for the club in an interview with LFCTV.
The midfielder arrived nine years ago from Brazilian side Gremio and the 29-year-old said Liverpool’s progress in the competition to reach the final is a testament to the rising confidence on Merseyside.
.@LucasLeiva87 on why victory in Basel would be extra special: https://t.co/nyLthi7H05 pic.twitter.com/yodKBBNio1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 17, 2016
Klopp decided to forego signing new players in January despite the effects a gruelling campaign fought in Europe and on several fronts domestically had on his squad. Injuries robbed Liverpool of key players up and down the pitch but the negative became a positive for fringe players who made the very most of opportunity to impress.
Lucas said a win in Basel will be massive for all the players and not just those fortunate to be in the 18-man match day squad.
“I think we played so many players in this competition from the beginning to the end. We had some injuries and people came in and did a job. It will be a squad title and of course everyone wants to be in the starting XI, but I think it will be a title for this group.
“We showed that we are a lot stronger together.”
LFC’s HOLLYWOOD ENDING?
LFC’s remarkable season – one full of emotion, pathos, unlikely comebacks and heroes on and off the pitch – has the all makings of a Hollywood script – which begs the question: how would the Liverpool players fare on the big screen for audiences more inclined to munch pop-corn than down a halftime pie and pint?
For those wondering, the club posted a video on YouTube showing Klopp and some of his star men acting out some famous lines from famous films…
By: Joe Cahal